Archbishop Moeller runs through Lakota West 38-20 in Division I regional final
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Archbishop Moeller used a strong run game to hand Lakota West its first loss of the season, 38-20, in the Division I, Region 4 regional final Friday night,
The Crusaders ran the ball 52 times for 343 yards to clinch a spot in the state semifinals next week, where they will face Springfield.
"It’s a matter of will and experience," Moeller senior offensive lineman Collin Remenowsky said. "We know what to do wehen the time comes and we have confidence in what we do as a program."
Moeller (13-1) was led on the ground by junior running back Jordan Marshall, who ran the ball 16 times for 165 yards and two scores. He also had a catch for 42 yards. All of his numbers came in the first half, as he sat out the second half for precautionary reasons with an undisclosed injury.
"He just had a little bit of an injury," Moeller head coach Mark Elder said. "We are never going to put anybody in any type of jeopardy so we had to hold him out. Jordan is going to be fine."
In his absence, Moeller had plenty of help. Alec Weeder was also over 100 yards in the game for the Crusaders, as he had 112 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown. Brett Kelley added 43 yards and Isaac Shade added a touchdown for the Crusaders.
"We have three other running backs that are out there," Elder said. "Weeder is playing hard and Brett Kelly had a couple of great carries and Shade went out there and scored a touchdown."
The Crusaders took control of the game in the second quarter, scoring 17 points to take a 24-13 lead into halftime.
With the game tied 7-7 after Lakota West scored on a 13-yard pass from Mitch Bolden to Luka Gilbert, the Crusaders marched down the field and retook the lead on a 1-yard score by Marshall.
And then after a defensive stop, Moeller got a 36-yard field goal from Drew Mitchell to make it 17-7. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced in front of the returner and Moeller recovered. Two plays later, Marshall scored from seven yards out to make it 24-7.
The Firebirds answered with a 10-yard pass from Bolden to Trent Lloyd at the end of the second quarter to make but 24-13, but never were able to get closer.
Moeller opened the third quarter scoring with a 10-yard pass from freshman quarterback Matt Ponatoski to Eli Jacon-Duffy to make it 31-13.
Ponatoski finished with 66 yards passing and a touchdown in his first start, completing four of his five pass attempts.
"I thought he showed what he is capable of doing," Elder said. "He went and managed everything really well and for a really big stage to have your first start, that’s something right there."
Bolden answered with a 49-yard touchdown run, but the Crusaders put the game away with an 8-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Shade with 1:06 left in the third quarter.
Bolden, who led the Firebirds in passing and rushing this season, completed 15-of-35 passes for 209 yards and two scores and ran for 136 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown.
"That’s a really talented offense, I think the world of that quarterback," Elder said. "He had my stomach in fits all week worrying about stopping him. He is a heck of a football player."
Despite Bolden's numbers, the Moeller defense did a good job most of the night containing the Lakota West offense. The Crusaders had six sacks, led by Brandon Martin's 3.5 and Conlan Daniel intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter with the Firebirds driving to end a scoring threat.
"I thought the defense went out and had a really good day," Elder said.
The feeling before, during and after the game on the Moeller sideline was one of a team who loves being around each other. Even when he was out of the game, Marshall was picking up teammates after plays and could be seen talking to Ponatoski, giving him encouragement.
"It’s the culture of Moeller football, we all love each other," Remenowsky said. "It's more than just us out here having fun playing football. Its all about the brotherhood."
